A Cancer Doctor Takes Survivors on a Journey of a Lifetime
As a breast cancer survivor, I know well how climbing a mountain is a metaphor that can be used to describe the cancer experience. For the next two weeks, my colleagues and I will be following the journey of a special group that has already climbed that metaphorical mountain, as they climb Mount Kilimanjaro together with a doctor who has treated some of them, long-time Society volunteer Richard Deming. Dr. Deming is Founder and Chairman of Above + Beyond Cancer, and is Medical Director of Mercy Cancer Center in Des Moines, Iowa. We are thrilled to share his updates on The Road to More Birthdays Blog as he leads this remarkable trip.
- Terry Music, chief mission delivery officer, American Cancer Society ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
As a cancer doctor, I am inspired each and every day by the grace, grit and compassion of my patients. During the next two weeks, I am taking time away from the hospital to embark on a journey that I hope will transform and inspire me. I arrived yesterday in Tanzania with 18 cancer survivors to begin a journey to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. I am with seven men and 11 women, ages 29 to 73, who are survivors of breast cancer, prostate cancer, thyroid cancer, salivary gland cancer, lymphoma, and leukemia. Some have been survivors for over a decade; some are still actively undergoing cancer treatment. The survivors come from every walk of life and include a priest, viola player, army officer, cage fighter, and an insurance executive. We have trained together as a team and we are ready to learn what Africa and the mountain have to teach us.
Climbing a mountain is a metaphor that many cancer survivors use to describe their cancer experience. Only cancer survivors, themselves, can articulate the overwhelming sense of accomplishment they feel when they succeed in reaching the “summit” of their cancer journey. But what every survivor will tell you is that during the ascent, his or her perspective on life is forever changed.
Through the adversity along the way, survivors have to apply personal strengths, often illusive before their trek. On the other hand, they’ve also had to acquire an appreciation for the talents of others, those who are there for their support. At the end of the journey, they are transformed. In straightforward terms: adversity often leads to personal growth.
Most cancer survivors come through their cancer journey with a better sense of who they are, what their priorities should be, and gratitude for having been given a second chance at life. Most come through their experience with a greater appreciation for their fellow human beings, with an enhanced sense of gratitude and generosity. They feel more connected to the world.
This experience resonates with climbers and explorers as well. The journey is difficult, but when one succeeds, there is a rush of excitement and that same sense of accomplishment. And both journeys ultimately become less about getting to the top, and more about the self-knowledge and wisdom one learns along the way. When all is said and done, when the backpacks and hiking boots put away, life goes forward, with a dramatically altered perspective. Priorities are re-ordered. Life is a gift and not a single minute should be “un-lived”.
In April of last year, I led 14 cancer survivors to the Mount Everest Base Camp. It was an incredible journey of inspiration, motivation, and self-discovery not just for the survivors, but for all of us who travelled with them. I had been to Everest in 2000 on a climbing trip with a group of other mountaineers. I knew from that experience that a trip into the Himalayan Mountains could be transformative. That trip for me was all about going further, farther, and higher, yet, along the way I was rewarded by moments of spiritual clarity and a sense of compassion that developed from my relationship with the Sherpa guides and with nature. It was a trip that fulfilled my dreams. My journey to Nepal earlier this year with the cancer survivors was about giving birth to dreams. Even with 30 years of experience caring for cancer patients, I was not prepared for how meaningful and inspirational the Everest journey was going to be.
On our journey to Everest Base Camp, we experienced some physical hardships along the way. The adversity we encountered led us to new heights of personal growth. We met people who lived simple mountain lives. We learned their culture and their religion. We felt gratitude for their hospitality and we learned that we are all connected to each other on this earth. We gained an appreciation for the magnificent beauty of our planet as we travelled into the mountains. We explored our relationship with our environment and we developed humility and gratitude for its splendor.
The adventure on Mount Kilimanjaro will mirror and reinforce the journey already completed by cancer survivors. Laughter and tears along the way will deepen our understanding of how adversity can enhance our lives and the lives of those around us forever. We will return home with an even greater appreciation for life, our planet, and our fellow human beings. Our gratitude and generosity will help change the world we live in for the better. I look forward to sharing our journey with you over the next two weeks.
Renewing Our Commitment to the War on Cancer
Dr. Seffrin marks the 40th anniversary of the National Cancer Act.
Last week the U.S. Senate passed a resolution commemorating the 40th anniversary of the National Cancer Act, the law that launched what came to be known as the “war on cancer.” The resolution celebrates the success we’ve seen in the ensuing decades, and while we haven’t yet achieved the “conquest of cancer” that President Nixon hoped for when he signed the law in 1971, there has indeed been much to celebrate. I want to mark this occasion by pointing out some of the most critical accomplishments the National Cancer Act has made possible, and laying out a plan that I believe can accelerate the progress.
First, the good news, and there is plenty of it:
- People with cancer stand a far better chance of surviving the disease today than they did in 1971.
- The five-year survival rate for all cancers has increased by more than 33 percent since the mid-1970s.
- There are more than 12 million cancer survivors in America today.
- Cancer death rates started dropping in the early 1990s and have continued to decline every year since.
- Nearly 900,000 lives – 350 per day – have been saved that would have otherwise been lost to cancer.
- The US government is the largest funder of cancer research in the world.
Despite all this, cancer remains one of our most dire public health burdens, taking some 1,500 lives each day. With half of men and one-third of women projected to be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, we simply must prevail against the disease.
Last week the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) released a statement and a blog post asking elected officials to celebrate this anniversary by making cancer a national priority again. If we can recapture the enthusiasm of 1971 and renew our national commitment to the goals set forth in the National Cancer Act, I believe a three-pronged effort focusing on research, prevention, and access to care will be the way to maximize our success. In short, we must fund new discoveries and help them move from the lab to the doctor’s office, educate people on proven ways to reduce their risk of cancer, and ensure that cancer screening and treatment are available to everybody.
Forty years into this war on cancer, we have much to be proud of, but much work ahead.
Thanksgiving is a ‘Word of Action’
John R. Seffrin, Ph.D., chief executive officer, just returned from the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit.
Having spent the past week with global leaders in the cancer fight, I am both particularly excited going into this holiday week about the new opportunities we have to fight cancer worldwide – and so very thankful for the millions of people who are helping us do just that.
Attending the World Cancer Leaders’ Summit in Dublin, Ireland, this week I had the chance to hear about the lifesaving interventions that are doing much to combat the growing global cancer problem. And together with these leaders, I looked ahead to the future of the cancer fight – at how we will save even more lives going forward.
This week, I am thankful for the many people who are and will be an integral part of that work.
Across America and around the world, more than three million American Cancer Society volunteers every day make our lifesaving mission happen. Plain and simple. Without their dedication – whether they’re behind the scenes at a Relay For Life® event, working for smoke-free legislation in their community, or simply stuffing envelopes – the American Cancer Society wouldn’t be the organization it is today.
If you’re not already a Society volunteer, I encourage you get involved. There has never been a time of greater need – or opportunity – in this fight. With just a small amount of your time, you can make such a difference for people facing cancer – whether they live down the street or around the world.
If you have some flexibility in your schedule … Consider volunteering to drive a patient to and from treatment. For many patients, finding a ride is the most challenging barrier to getting well.
- If you just have a few minutes here and there … Consider volunteering with your local Society office, or fight back with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action NetworkSM, the Society’s nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate.
- And if you’re looking to host a different sort of holiday party … Consider bringing guests together to volunteer at one of the 31 American Cancer Society Hope Lodge® locations across the country, where people who must travel for treatment find a free “home away from home.”
As W.J. Cameron said, “Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action.” Cancer is a relentless enemy. Yet as the largest voluntary health organization in the world, the American Cancer Society marshals more grassroots volunteer forces than any other group to fight this disease – and together we are just as relentless. That is something to be thankful for indeed.
Visit cancer.org/volunteer or call 1-800-227-2345 to learn more about volunteer opportunities with the American Cancer Society.
New ACS President, a “Volunteer for Life”
Dr. Phil Evans is a diagnostic radiologist who has specialized in breast imaging for more than 30 years. He is the Director of the Center for Breast Care at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, and has been an ACS volunteer since 1985.
As the new President of the American Cancer Society, I am honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to advance the Society’s incredible accomplishments of the last 98 years. Compared to 20 years ago, there are 350 more people each day in the U.S. who now celebrate a birthday due to the progress made against cancer. We know that with greater and more widespread availability and utilization of scientifically proven tests, treatments and programs, we could increase that number to 1,000 a day, and this will be our most important objective in the coming years.
As a breast cancer physician, my first experience with the ACS was as a leader in the Texas Breast Cancer Screening Project in 1984. At that time, screening mammography was not covered by insurance, and screening rates were low. A coupon from the ACS allowed women in Texas to obtain a screening mammogram for $50. During the next two years, more than 100,000 women took advantage of this program. As a result, early cancers were detected and lives were saved. Legislation was passed providing screening insurance coverage. Because of its quality assurance aspect, the project was the forerunner of the American College of Radiology’s Mammography Accreditation Program. It was an amazing experience to witness the impact the ACS could have, and I became “hooked “as a volunteer for life.
Years ago, while undergoing an evaluation for another health problem, a mass was incidentally found on my left kidney. One of my radiologist partners told me it was cancer, and I could not believe what I heard. The devastating news was correct, and I underwent extensive surgery. It was an incredible experience to personally understand what cancer patients go through, and that experience changed my life. My belief is there is no time to waste, and the time to act is now. Today I am a very happy 15-year survivor who sincerely appreciates each day and the promise of more birthdays.
Although tremendous progress has been made, cancer is projected to be the number one worldwide cause of death in the 21st century. We know that cancer deaths to a large extent are preventable using measures such as tobacco control, screening, vaccinations for hepatitis B and human papilloma virus (HPV), healthy diet, increased physical activity, and moderation in alcohol use. The scientific evidence is clear, and we must act now to eliminate this disease that causes so much pain and suffering in the lives of so many. I look forward to working with my volunteer and staff colleagues to reach our objectives of more lives saved and more birthdays celebrated.
Two Decades of Service… and Counting
Cynthia M. LeBlanc, Ed.D., M.A., of Richmond, California, is the first African American woman to assume the role of board chair of the American Cancer Society.
I am honored to assume the role of Chair of the National Board of the American Cancer Society. I have the opportunity to lead this organization, along with President Phil Evans, M.D. and CEO John Seffrin, Ph.D.
I am humbled to think that I am among three million volunteers for the American Cancer Society. When I started my journey with ACS more than 24 years ago, I knew little about cancer, but the mission of the Society was something I could support. My parents had already instilled in me the principle of community involvement. Little did I know that over the years, cancer would have such a huge impact on my family. Just as my mother was recovering from her second mastectomy, she became the primary caregiver for my dad after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Both of my parents eventually died of cancer, and of my mother’s eight brothers and sisters, five were diagnosed with cancer. I know the impact this disease can have on a family.
As I assume this position, I reflect on the years of service I have already dedicated at the regional, state and national levels, coupled with my 36 successful years within the public school system as an educator, teacher, principal, administrator and superintendent. I am grateful to have another leadership opportunity continuing a mission that is so important to me.
During the year I hope to engage our volunteers in new and interesting ways, building an organization-wide process to strengthen the recruitment, retention and development of volunteers. I believe an important aspect is to increase our focus on the involvement of youth as leaders within the organization, so that we can harness their passion and energy to celebrate more birthdays.
This year will bring the establishment of enhanced relationships between staff and volunteers throughout the organization, across geographic boundaries and functions, and the key to this is good communication. I am hoping we can build upon and replicate if possible the communication strategy initiated by the Society’s leadership. Dr. Seffrin has previously stated that community presence is a nonnegotiable. It is my hope, too, that we will strengthen our relationship, particularly, with diverse communities as we address the impact of cancer and do what we do best, help people stay well, get well, find cures and fight back.
There is an Ethiopian proverb that states “when spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion.” I believe that we are building the spider webs, and as long as staff and volunteers continue to work together, we will tie up the lion and achieve our mission, the elimination of cancer.
Walking the Walk
John R. Seffrin, Ph.D., chief executive officer, American Cancer Society
As we do every October, this weekend my wife Carole and I will participate in our local American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. We will be taking our place among some 14,000 people at the event and 800,000 walking nationwide to do our part to make further progress in breast cancer research, early detection, and treatment. The Society launched Making Strides Against Breast cancer in 1993, and every October takes us closer to a world with less breast cancer and more birthdays.
Over the years the Making Strides program has helped raise more than $400 million to fight breast cancer, enabling the American Cancer Society to play a role in nearly every major breakthrough against the disease in that time. The results have been remarkable. There are now more than 2.6 million breast cancer survivors in the United States, and if it is found early, the survival rate is an astonishing 99 percent!
These figures are not just academic. They represent real life stories, including my own. Carole was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, and thanks to catching her disease at the earliest, most treatable stage, she made a full recovery, and continues to lead a healthy and happy life. A generation ago, before Making Strides, her prognosis would not have been nearly as good.
Thanks to the dedication and passion of our millions of volunteers, we know more about the incredible advantage of catching breast cancer as early as possible, and how best to teach women and medical professionals to do that. We also are better equipped to educate women about lifestyle changes they can make that reduce the risk of getting breast cancer, and we’ve got better and more treatment options to help give women their best chance at the same full recovery Carole has been fortunate to experience.
When I walk this weekend, I’m not only walking as the chief executive officer of the American Cancer Society, I’m walking as someone who has been lucky to benefit from all that Making Strides Against Breast Cancer has made possible. If you participate in your local Making Strides event or support others who do, I want to offer you my sincere thanks and appreciation for all you do to help save lives. If you would like to learn more about how to get involved, please visit http://makingstrides.acsevents.org.
October
This is the inaugural post by Terry Music, chief mission delivery officer, American Cancer Society, and a breast cancer survivor.
As chief mission delivery officer at the American Cancer Society I am responsible for the many programs and services the Society provides to cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. I take special notice of Breast Cancer Awareness Month each October both because I am happy I get to play a part in bringing comfort to so many women and their families through the Society’s work, and because I am myself a breast cancer survivor.
I lost my mother to breast cancer when she was only 55. Years later I was diagnosed with cancer at nearly the same age my mother had been at the time of her diagnosis. Needless to say, I was scared and anticipated a future much like hers. But I soon realized that there were significant differences in our situations. In the years between my mother’s cancer diagnosis and mine, new discoveries and advancements in screening and treatment ensured that my chance at long-term survival was much greater. I benefitted in the most personal way possible from the activism, fund-raising, and other efforts that led to increased knowledge about the disease.
Though my cancer experience happened several years ago, I will always be a cancer survivor, and I still celebrate on a daily basis. I don’t wait for a special month or only mark a milestone event on its anniversary, I believe that every day is special. That’s one of the gifts of a cancer diagnosis. Many survivors say the same thing. After living through cancer, we focus more on the special people in our lives, the way the flowers make yard work easier, and we take very personally the way others support the efforts to end this disease. I feel very lucky that my job places me on the front line of that effort.
While October represents a chance to get involved in the fight against breast cancer through participating in walks like our Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, or supporting some of the cause marketing efforts that seem to multiply each year, I also see this month as a chance to have a discussion about turning what we know about breast cancer into what we do about it. While nobody is to blame for having cancer, there are a few things we can all do that are proven to reduce overall risk. Namely, maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise, do not use tobacco in any form, and get recommended screenings.
Furthermore, if you are dealing with breast cancer or any type of cancer, know that you are not alone. The American Cancer Society is in your corner. Call our 24-hour National Cancer Information Center at 800-227-2345 to learn about the different ways we can help. We offer patient navigators, peer counseling for breast and prostate cancer patients, assistance with transportation to doctor appointments, lodging for people who need to travel far from home for treatment, volumes of information about your type of cancer, and much more.
I celebrate October and February and July and all the months in between by urging my family, my friends and those for whom I work everyday to take control of the things we can do to reduce cancer risk, and to let the Society help if you need us. Together, we are working toward a world with less cancer and more birthdays.
